The relationship between child care attendance and pathway to successful adulthood: Do effects of early child care extend to postsecondary education?

Principal investigator

Gabrielle Garon-Carrier

Researchers

Marie-Josée Letarte

Project status:

Completed

Years:

December 2019 - March 2021

Abstract

In the Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework, Canadian federal, provincial and territorial ministers recognized the link between quality in Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) systems and the promotion of optimal child development. The guiding principles of the Framework are to increase quality, accessibility, affordability, flexibility and inclusivity in early learning and child care. With this Framework, governments agreed to work toward a shared long-term vision for enriching ELCC environments. To help support the guiding principles of the framework, the Departmental Research Plan of Employment and Social Development Canada outlines the importance of conducting research that support families to meet their needs for child care, and to improve understanding of the long-term developmental impact of child care within the Canadian context. This study will examine the relationship between the type of child care services received in early childhood and pathways to successful adulthood. The study will use the recent linkage data between the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) and T1 Family File (T1FF). Specifically, this study will examine if the postsecondary enrollment rate (based on tuition fees education deductions in the T1FF data) of young adults aged 18-19 through 21-22 varies depending upon the type of child care services they received at ages 0-5 (based on the NLSCY). Data analyses will involve descriptive statistics (e.g., proportions enrolled in postsecondary education for different subgroups) as well as regression modelling to assess the relationship between early child care services and postsecondary enrollment while taking into account key determinants of postsecondary enrollment such as parental education and income, academic performance and gender.

Funding Organization:

Emploi et Développement Social Canada - Gouvernement du Canada